Thursday, November 06, 2008

Super agent, and I use that term loosely, Scott Boras has been tooting the horn of Red Sox team captain Jason Varitek. He likens his value to that of Jorge Posada and his four year $52.4 million dollar deal with the pinstriped ones. This is what he had to say on the subject...

"It is probably representative age-wise and it's also representative of what a player on a winning team - for very different reasons, obviously - can do," Boras said. "You aren't going to have many catchers with those performance levels - a 60 percent winning percentage on a franchise which has won two championships, caught four no-hitters. I can go on and on.The idea of it is there aren't many players in the marketplace who lead a team like Jason Varitek can, and that's got to be his value. Teams offer contracts, I don't," said Boras. "I'm at the will of what teams choose to do."

Peter here...there is no doubt that Jason Varitek leads his team, OUR team, through hard work, tough research on the opposing team's batters and the educative information and game calling he gives his each day pitcher. A Boston Red Sox team without Jason Varitek would seem alien to me, naked in its vulnerability. But I know that Boston will not give him a four year contract...no team would. But he's our "quarterback." He leads the team and controls the pitch selection like no one else can. We hope for the best. To me, the "best" would be a modest two year offer, or a less modest one year offer...if he catches two games out of every five, his invaluable expertise will still be available to the Boston pitching staff...EVERY DAY, from the dugout and in the clubhouse. To have 'Tek THERE is so important to the pitchers on the team. That's ideal.

In other GM meetings news, the interest in Coco Crisp, who batted .315 after the ALL STAR break (that's amazing!), has never been higher. He's never been more "in demand." The story isn't the same for Julio Lugo, he of the bloated contract and the injury muddled and muddied 2008 season. But those two names have been linked as the first two players the Sox might jettison. Again, time will tell. Will Mike Lowell have to go? The answer is this...only if Mark Teixeira or Nick Swisher is acquired. The up-in-the-air questions are numerous. The answers are still invisible, just out of reach.

As always, BE WELL. Click on the title for more on the GM meetings on the left coast, namely Dana Point, California. Thanks for stopping in once again, my Constant Readers. I'd love to hear your opinions...should Coco (don't know!) and/or Lugo (bye bye birdie!) be playing somewhere else in 2009? We shall see. Eventually. As Jimi said in 1967...

4 Comments:

I, like Theo, believe everyone is expendable, for the right deal. None of these players you mention will go, simply for the sake of going. They will go if there is a deal worth making, otherwise they'll stay.

So, if the Sox like the idea od Teixeira, they'd be willing to talk about a Lowell trade, or a Lugo trade, or whatever. But, only if the trade improves the Sox.

That said, I know they want to improve the team, definitely interested in pitching, catching, and a hot bat. I think Coco, since we are well stocked for outfielders, makes good trade bait, and I would not be surprised if he gets included in one. But, it won't be to get rid of him, and it will only be for a good deal.

Lugo also, with Lowrie here too, is not too painful to trade, but I don't know if the other teams will be excited about trading for him.

Otherwise, I don't expect Lowell to be traded at all, but you never know.

Regarding Varitek, is it possible that other clubs would offer what his agent is asking of Boston? It seems highly unlikely, so how can he even think in terms of four years and so much money?

Of course, the agent is counting on the millions in commission that will enter his own pockets, but it seems irresponsible to make such a demand. Or is this just a dance that goes on between owners and players, until the years are decreased to three or two, and the figure is dropped by a few millions?

I sure would not want to lose Varitek. He just seems to fit so well with every pitcher, and he seems like such a hustler.

I agree with your first point, Rooster. They WILL go after Teixeira HARD because he's a perfect fit. If they land him after the bidding war ends, Lowell would be as good as gone. Missed, but gone....there is no way he'd stay if Tex is signed.No one is leaving just becuase the team wants to get rid of him, except the way overpriced Lugo, who the club would LOVE to say bye bye to.

Hi Elizabeth...geat to hear from you. No money has been mentioned (yet) by 'Tek's agent Scott Boras. But it will. I don't think even Boras expects a four year deal. Two years is a great compromise for Jason and the club. He's in his mid-30s, which is ancient for a catcher. I hope the Sox sign him to a two year deal, but his agent might make that impossible. We'll see. Boras, if you are somewhat unfamiliar with him, is known for driving up his clients' asking price to a stratospheric level...that's his trademark. And he's very good (and rich) doing just that.My thanks to both of you. It's so great to know you stop in regularly, as I do on Rooster's blog. Elizabeth, he write a blog called RATIONAL SOX FAN. It's on my link list, near the top. If you haven't already and you have the time, check it out. He's one of the "good guys." I think I am, too.

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